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    William Dalrymple (historian)

    In American football, an interception (INT), also known as a pick, occurs when a pass intended for a player of the same team is caught by an opposition player, who then gains possession for their team.[1][2] The National Football League (NFL) did not begin keeping official records until the 1932 season and did not begin tracking interceptions until 1940.[3][4] As a result of the AFL–NFL merger, league record books also recognize statistics from the American Football League (AFL), which operated from 1960 to 1969 before being absorbed into the NFL in 1970.[5][6]

    There have been 39 players who have recorded at least 50 interceptions. Paul Krause is the all-time leader, with 81 interceptions.[7] Due to rule changes and increasingly detailed offensive schemes, among other factors, the rate of interceptions has dropped considerably from 1971 (5.78%) to 2018 (2.37%).[7] As of 2025, no active player has at least 40 interceptions, with free agent Patrick Peterson the active career leader at 36.[8]

    Players with at least 50 interceptions

    Key
    Symbol Meaning
    Ints The total number of interceptions the player had
    † Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
    ^ Active player
    NFL career interceptions leaders
    Rank Player Position Team(s) Ints Refs
    1 Paul Krause † Safety Washington Redskins (1964–1967) 81 [9]
    Minnesota Vikings (1968–1979)
    2 Emlen Tunnell † Defensive back New York Giants (1948–1958) 79 [10]
    Green Bay Packers (1959–1961)
    3 Rod Woodson † Defensive back Pittsburgh Steelers (1987–1996) 71 [11]
    San Francisco 49ers (1997)
    Baltimore Ravens (1998–2001)
    Oakland Raiders (2002–2003)
    4 Dick Lane † Cornerback Los Angeles Rams (1952–1953) 68 [12]
    Chicago Cardinals (1954–1959)
    Detroit Lions (1960–1965)
    5 Ken Riley † Cornerback Cincinnati Bengals (1969–1983) 65 [13]
    Charles Woodson † Defensive back Oakland Raiders (1998–2005, 2013–2015) [14]
    Green Bay Packers (2006–2012)
    7 Ed Reed † Safety Baltimore Ravens (2002–2012) 64 [15]
    Houston Texans (2013)
    New York Jets (2013)
    8 Ronnie Lott † Defensive back San Francisco 49ers (1981–1990) 63 [16]
    Los Angeles Raiders (1991–1992)
    New York Jets (1993–1994)
    Darren Sharper Safety Green Bay Packers (1997–2004) [17]
    Minnesota Vikings (2005–2008)
    New Orleans Saints (2009–2010)
    10 Dave Brown Defensive back Pittsburgh Steelers (1975) 62 [18]
    Seattle Seahawks (1976–1986)
    Green Bay Packers (1987–1989)
    Dick LeBeau † Defensive back Detroit Lions (1959–1972) [19]
    12 Emmitt Thomas † Defensive back Kansas City Chiefs (1966–1978) 58 [20]
    13 Mel Blount † Defensive back Pittsburgh Steelers (1970–1983) 57 [21]
    Bobby Boyd Cornerback Baltimore Colts (1960–1968) [22]
    Eugene Robinson Safety Seattle Seahawks (1985–1995) [23]
    Green Bay Packers (1996–1997)
    Atlanta Falcons (1998–1999)
    Carolina Panthers (2000)
    Johnny Robinson † Defensive back Dallas Texans / Kansas City Chiefs (1960–1971) [24]
    Everson Walls Cornerback Dallas Cowboys (1981–1989) [25]
    New York Giants (1990–1992)
    Cleveland Browns (1992–1993)
    18 Lem Barney † Cornerback Detroit Lions (1967–1977) 56 [26]
    Pat Fischer Defensive back St. Louis Cardinals (1961–1967) [27]
    Washington Redskins (1968–1977)
    20 Aeneas Williams † Defensive back Phoenix / Arizona Cardinals (1991–2000) 55 [28]
    St. Louis Rams (2001–2004)
    21 Darrell Green † Defensive back Washington Redskins (1983–2002) 54 [29]
    Willie Brown † Cornerback Denver Broncos (1963–1966) [30]
    Oakland Raiders (1967–1978)
    Eric Allen † Cornerback Philadelphia Eagles (1988–1994) [31]
    New Orleans Saints (1995–1997)
    Oakland Raiders (1998–2001)
    24 Ty Law † Cornerback New England Patriots (1995–2004) 53 [32]
    New York Jets (2005, 2008
    Kansas City Chiefs (2006–2007)
    Denver Broncos (2009)
    Deion Sanders † Cornerback Atlanta Falcons (1989–1993) [33]
    San Francisco 49ers (1994)
    Dallas Cowboys (1995–1999)
    Washington Redskins (2000)
    Baltimore Ravens (2004–2005)
    26 Champ Bailey † Cornerback Washington Redskins (1999–2003) 52 [34]
    Denver Broncos (2004–2013)
    Jack Butler † Defensive back Pittsburgh Steelers (1951–1959) [35]
    Bobby Dillon † Defensive back Green Bay Packers (1952–1959) [36]
    Jimmy Patton Safety New York Giants (1955–1966) [37]
    Mel Renfro † Defensive back Dallas Cowboys (1964–1977) [38]
    Larry Wilson † Safety St. Louis Cardinals (1960–1972) [39]
    32 Bobby Bryant Defensive back Minnesota Vikings (1968–1980) 51 [40]
    Asante Samuel Cornerback New England Patriots (2003–2007) [41]
    Philadelphia Eagles (2008–2011)
    Atlanta Falcons (2012–2013)
    Donnie Shell † Defensive back Pittsburgh Steelers (1974–1987) [42]
    35 Terrell Buckley Defensive back Green Bay Packers (1992–1994) 50 [43]
    Miami Dolphins (1995–1999), 2003)
    Denver Broncos (2000)
    New England Patriots (2001–2002)
    New York Jets (2004)
    New York Giants (2005)
    Don Burroughs Safety Los Angeles Rams (1955–1959) [44]
    Philadelphia Eagles (1960–1964)
    Deron Cherry Safety Kansas City Chiefs (1981–1991) [45]
    John Harris Safety Seattle Seahawks (1978–1985) [46]
    Minnesota Vikings (1986–1988)
    Yale Lary † Defensive back Detroit Lions (1952–1964) [47]

    Historical career interceptions leaders

    NFL historical career interceptions leaders
    No. Reign Player Team(s) while leader Ints Season(s) Refs
    1 1940 Don Hutson† Green Bay Packers 6 1940 [48]
    Ace Parker† Brooklyn Dodgers [48]
    Kent Ryan Detroit Lions [48]
    2 1941 George McAfee† Chicago Bears 10 1941 [49]
    3 1942 Don Hutson† Green Bay Packers 14 1942 [50]
    4 1943–1948 Sammy Baugh† Washington Redskins 23 1943 [51]
    27 1944 [52]
    31 1945–1948 [53][54]
    5 Tied 1948 Irv Comp Green Bay Packers 1948 [54]
    1949–1950 34 1949–1950 [55][56]
    6 1951 Frank Reagan Philadelphia Eagles 35 1951 [57]
    7 1952–1978 Emlen Tunnell† New York Giants (1952–1958)
    Green Bay Packers (1959–1961)     		40 1952 [58]
    46 1953 [59]
    54 1954 [60]
    61 1955 [61]
    67 1956 [62]
    73 1957 [63]
    74 1958 [64]
    76 1959 [65]
    79 1960–1978 [66][67]
    8 1979–present Paul Krause† Minnesota Vikings 81 1979 [68][69]

    See also

    References

    1. ^ "2023 NFL Rulebook". National Football League. Archived from the original on October 24, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
    2. ^ "Football Interceptions". Rookie Road. Archived from the original on August 18, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
    3. ^ "NFL's Passer Rating". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on October 3, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
    4. ^ "Football Statistics Data Coverage". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
    5. ^ "2012 NFL Record and Fact Book" (PDF). National Football League. pp. 625–626. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 13, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
    6. ^ Banks, Don (November 12, 2014). "Forty-five years after last AFL season, rivalry with NFL still resonates". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
    7. ^ a b Jones, Jonathan (October 2, 2019). "The Declining Interception Rate in the NFL". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on June 23, 2024. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
    8. ^ "NFL Interceptions Active Leaders". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on September 19, 2024. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
    9. ^ "Paul Krause Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 26, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    10. ^ "Emlen Tunnell Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    11. ^ "Rod Woodson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 9, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    12. ^ "Night Train Lane Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 10, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    13. ^ "Ken Riley Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 11, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    14. ^ "Charles Woodson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. June 17, 2024. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
    15. ^ "Ed Reed Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 23, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    16. ^ "Ronnie Lott Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    17. ^ "Darren Sharper Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 31, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    18. ^ "Dave Brown Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    19. ^ "Dick LeBeau Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 3, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    20. ^ "Emmitt Thomas Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    21. ^ "Mel Blount Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 8, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    22. ^ "Bobby Boyd Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 11, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    23. ^ "Eugene Robinson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    24. ^ "Johnny Robinson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 30, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    25. ^ "Everson Walls Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    26. ^ "Lem Barney Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    27. ^ "Pat Fischer Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    28. ^ "Aeneas Williams Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    29. ^ "Darrell Green Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 3, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    30. ^ "Willie Brown Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 18, 2024. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
    31. ^ "Eric Allen Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    32. ^ "Ty Law Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 12, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    33. ^ "Deion Sanders Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 11, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    34. ^ "Champ Bailey Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    35. ^ "Jack Butler Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    36. ^ "Bobby Dillon Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 22, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    37. ^ "Jimmy Patton Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 18, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    38. ^ "Mel Renfro Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    39. ^ "Larry Wilson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 27, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    40. ^ "Bobby Bryant Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    41. ^ "Asante Samuel Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    42. ^ "Donnie Shell Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 25, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    43. ^ "Terrell Buckley Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    44. ^ "Don Burroughs Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 2, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    45. ^ "Deron Cherry Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    46. ^ "John Harris Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 15, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    47. ^ "Yale Lary Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 18, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
    48. ^ a b c "NFL Career Interceptions Leaders Through 1940". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
    49. ^ "NFL Career Interceptions Leaders Through 1941". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
    50. ^ "NFL Career Interceptions Leaders Through 1942". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
    51. ^ "NFL Career Interceptions Leaders Through 1943". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
    52. ^ "NFL Career Interceptions Leaders Through 1944". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
    53. ^ "NFL Career Interceptions Leaders Through 1945". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
    54. ^ a b "NFL Career Interceptions Leaders Through 1948". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
    55. ^ "NFL Career Interceptions Leaders Through 1949". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
    56. ^ "NFL Career Interceptions Leaders Through 1950". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
    57. ^ "NFL Career Interceptions Leaders Through 1951". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
    58. ^ "NFL Career Interceptions Leaders Through 1952". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
    59. ^ "NFL Career Interceptions Leaders Through 1953". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
    60. ^ "NFL Career Interceptions Leaders Through 1954". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
    61. ^ "NFL Career Interceptions Leaders Through 1955". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
    62. ^ "NFL Career Interceptions Leaders Through 1956". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
    63. ^ "NFL Career Interceptions Leaders Through 1957". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
    64. ^ "NFL Career Interceptions Leaders Through 1958". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
    65. ^ "NFL Career Interceptions Leaders Through 1959". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
    66. ^ "NFL Career Interceptions Leaders Through 1960". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
    67. ^ "NFL Career Interceptions Leaders Through 1978". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
    68. ^ "NFL Career Interceptions Leaders Through 1979". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
    69. ^ "NFL Interceptions Career Leaders (since 1940)". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 14, 2019. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
    Credit: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_National_Football_League_career_interceptions_leaders

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